- A TikToker named Malfoy (@Malfoy_Draco) documented his disenchantment on a recent trip to Paris.
- He trashed the cityscapes and nightlife, as well as the Eiffel Tower.
A TikToker has gone massively viral for a series of comedic videos about traveling to Paris, debunking romantic notions surrounding the city of love by pointing out various unappealing sights and smells.
In his most popular video, with 28.1 million views, the TikToker @Malfoy_Drayco, who goes by Malfoy, critiqued a number of cityscapes, including piles of trash, flocks of pigeons, an overabundance of corner cafes, an influx of American fast food chains, and train stations and storefronts covered in graffiti.
"It smells like piss, cheese, and armpits," Malfoy says in the video. "You will see a cafe on every corner because there's no activities here and the food is so mid."
The nightlife was so unappealing that Malfoy jokingly pulled out a book in the middle of a club.
@malfoy_drayco Replying to @utica.church Paris was definitely giving Ratatouille bc thats all i saw walking thru the streets #fyp #foryoupage #xyzbca #paris #paristravel #paristravelguide #paristravelgoals #paristraveladvice #paristraveltips #paristips #paristrip #parisvibes #parisvlog #paristiktok #parisianlife #parisianvibes #parisguide #parislife #parislifestyle #parisliving #visitparis #parismood #parisfrance #eiffeltower #eiffel #france #francetiktok #parisdayinthelife ♬ original sound - Benaiah Adesoji
Malfoy also took the opportunity to dispel the hype around one of Paris's most beloved sites: the Eiffel Tower. The walkways to the tower were paved in dirt, "so pack accordingly," he wrote in on-screen text. He also complained that it only looked good at night, and joked that the country had failed to capitalize on "mime culture" around the celebrated landmark.
Malfoy has shared numerous TikToks outlining his disdain for Paris, several of which have garnered millions of views. He's far from the only creator to experience Paris syndrome, or the realization that the romanticized city is not what tourists expect it to be, and many TikTok commenters echoed their agreement.
"A lot of people have been saying Paris is overrated," one person wrote.
"It reminded me of NY when I went," another commenter said.
But there were some dissenters who defended the international city proudly. "I loved Paris," one user wrote. "The architecture. The vibe. It is a beautiful city regardless."
@malfoy_drayco Europe aint nothing but hype bc its ugly and it smell like pee, cheese and armpits out here, it was giving gudda rat #fyp #foryoupage #xyzbca #paris #paristravel #paristrip #paristravelguide #paristravelgoals #paristraveladvice #paristips #paristraveltips #parisviews #parisvibes #parisvlog #paristiktok #parislife #parisian #parisianlife #parislifestyle #parisianstyle #eiffeltower #eiffeltowerview #eiffeltowertiktok #parisdayinthelife #placestovisitinparis #france ♬ Aint nobody told me nothing - Kendria Bland
While the underpinnings of Malfoy's viral videos have resonated widely, it's worth noting that his disgruntled travel review videos have become satirical over time. He refers to himself as "not ur average tourguide" on his TikTok bio, and viewers can't get enough of his sardonic commentary.
"Ima need you to travel to all the places and give reviews," one suggested. "I trust you I was not impressed by Paris."
Malfoy posted his first TikTok in 2021, but viewership appears to have taken off in February of this year, when he shared he was moving abroad to London and immediately started critiquing his new hometown, including the London Eye, a famous Ferris wheel he called "basic as fuck," and an overcast beach with "dirty" water and an "abandoned" shopping mall.
@malfoy_drayco I’ll take myself to Heathrow, thx, its been nice #fyp #foryoupage #xyzbca #london #londonlife #visitlondon #placesinlondon #placestogoinlondon #placestogoinengland #londonplacestogo #londonhotspots #londontour #londonguide #livinginlondon #londoner #londonexperiences #londonplaces #londonadventures #londonlifestyle #england #unitedkingdom ♬ original sound - ♛✔︎♛
Malfoy did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.